GI Sensor Tether Anchor Wireless Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gastrointestinal monitoring systems, such as catheter-based and capsule-based systems, face challenges including patient discomfort, self-consciousness due to visible equipment, and invasive implantation procedures, along with complications and trauma during nasal insertion of large capsules.

Innovation Solution

A physiological sensor-transmitter assembly with a small diameter tether and anchor that attaches to an externally accessible surface, allowing the sensor to maintain a fixed location within the GI tract, reducing discomfort and avoiding the need for invasive procedures by using a wireless transmitter to send data without a wired connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large diameter catheter is used for GI monitoring, then the catheter is easier to insert and more structurally stable, but it causes patient discomfort, pain, and self-consciousness due to visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the monitoring device into separate components: a small sensor portion inserted into the GI tract and a separate external data logging device. This segmentation allows the internal component to be small and comfortable while the external component handles the bulk of the equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data logging and processing functions are extracted from the catheter itself and placed in a separate external device. This extraction allows the catheter to be reduced to minimal necessary components, reducing its diameter and improving patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a remote sensing capsule is used, then patient discomfort and self-consciousness are reduced, but the capsule cannot maintain a fixed location for extended measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient discomfortVSAvoidfixed location stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the sensing function (capsule-like) from the anchoring function (tether and anchor). The sensor portion remains small and comfortable while the tether-anchor system provides stable positioning, combining the advantages of both approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A tether acts as an intermediary element connecting the sensor capsule to an external anchor point. This intermediary provides the mechanical connection needed for stable positioning while allowing the sensor itself to remain small and comfortable for the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a tether is attached to the tooth to fix capsule location, then fixed location measurements are achieved, but operator difficulty and patient intolerance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed location stabilityVSAvoidattachment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching to the tooth (as in prior art), the system uses a nasal anchor that copies the functionality of tooth attachment but at a more accessible and comfortable location. The anchor provides stable tether attachment without the operational difficulties of tooth attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Stability of the object's composition

If endoscopic implantation is used, then capsule implantation is achieved, but complications and risk of emergency removal increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation stabilityVSAvoidcomplication risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the implantation procedure into a simple nasal insertion of the sensor portion while the anchor remains external. This avoids the complex endoscopic surgery required for fully implantable systems, reducing complication risks while maintaining stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Reliability

If a wired connection is used for data transmission, then reliable data transfer is achieved, but patient comfort and mobility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical wired connection with wireless data transmission technology. This substitution eliminates the physical wire that would constrain patient movement and cause discomfort, while maintaining reliable data transfer through electromagnetic communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9125588B2Micro-remote gastrointestinal physiological measurement device

Publication Date: 2015.09.08 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A physiological sensor-transmitter assembly for measuring a physiological property at an internal body location of a subject over time is described. An instrument for inserting the assembly in the subject and a method of monitoring a physiological property measured at the internal body location over time are also described. The assembly includes a sensor and a transmitter adapted to transmit information from the sensor in a non-wired fashion to a receiver. The assembly also includes an anchor adapted to attach to an externally accessible portion of a subject and a tether that connects the sensor and the anchor to maintain a position of the sensor within the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.